Romani Families Evicted in Slaný, Czech Republic

07 February 2004

On June 17, 2003, Prague-based news source Radio Prague reported that local authorities in the town of Slaný near Prague evicted five Romani families from their home on Ouvalova Street during the weekend of June 14 to 15, 2003. According to the Prague-based Romani organisation Dženo Association (Dženo), following the eviction, the five Romani families reportedly lived with their furniture on the street in front of their former home in protest. Three of the evicted children were reportedly removed from their mother's care and placed in an asylum centre in Prague, though their pregnant mother was reportedly left in the street. According to Radio Prague, Mr Ivo Roubik, mayor of Slaný, rejected accusations of racism, stating that the eviction of non-Romani families was planned. Mr Roubik also stated that the evictions had been undertaken because the families failed to pay their rent. However, the Prague-based non-governmental organisation Counselling Centre for Citizenship, Civil and Human Rights (Poradna), was quoted as having stated that some of the evicted Romani families had paid their rent on time, while the other families had attempted to negotiate with the town authorities only to be met by a blank refusal of co-operation. Radio Prague reported that, following a decision of the town hall, the families were requested to pay rent for living on the street as it is public property.

Dženo reported that Slaný authorities have announced plans to turn the buildings occupied by Roma on Ouvalova Street into a women's shelter and move "unadaptable" citizens to a temporary accommodation being constructed on a former military base. The new site, located far from schools and most services, is reportedly not accessible via public transport. Two police officers were to be assigned to the area to preserve order.

(Dženo, Radio Prague)